wittstadt



I I Model) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T P. WITTSTADT.

ACCORDION.

No. 335,552. Patented Feb. 2, 1886. 1

FIG. '1.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

F. WITTSTADT.

ACCORDION.

No. 335,552. Patented Feb. 2, 1886.

FIG-3.

Fig.4.

N. PETERS. Pham-Lnhographer, wmm mn, o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT rrice.

ACCORDlON.

.JI ECIEEI ZATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,552, dated February 2, 1886. Application filed May 28, 1884. Serial X0. 133,089. (No model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it k nowu that I, FRIEDRICH Wrrrs'rADtr, of the town of \Viirzburg, Bavaria, Germany, have invented certain new and useful improvements in the manufacture of keys for accordions and other similar instruments from sheet metal, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of key-boards and the keys for accordions and other similar musical instruments from sheet metal, which said sheet metal is stamped or pressed, and possesses the advantage of being exceedingly durable and of withstanding damp or dry atmospheric influence without distortion.

The invention can be applied to instruments with single or double rows of keys, it being immaterial whether the same are covered or not.

Figure l is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a section, of my invention applied to an accordion with an open double row of keys. Fig. 3 is an eleration, and Fig. 4 a section, of my invention, applied to an accordion with a double row of covered keys. Fig. 5 is the section of an accordion with a single row of uncovered keys. Fig. 6 is the section of a like instrument with covered keys. Fig. 7 is a top view. Fig. Sis a longitudinal section representing the method of attaching the keylever to the valve or flap.

The key-board c is made of sheet metal, and is bent or stamped up in novel manner, and provided with pertbrations or openings a, to receive the keys. The said keyboard is attached to the lid 6 of the instrument by means of screws Z), or in other suitable manner. The keys 0 are made from stamped or pressed sheet metal, of semicircular section, and consist in accordions with two rows of keys of two partsthat is, the key proper, 0, and the key valve or plate (I, Fig. 2. The key valve or plate d is provided with a small lug or flange, and is connected to the key 0 by means of the pin or pivot c. A disk, f, of indiarubber, is inserted between the key a and the key valve or plate (7, Figs. 7 and 8, and is held in position by means of the pin or pivot e in such a manner that a kind of springy joint or hinge is attained. The keys are arranged to turn on the axis or pivot 71, which is arranged in the kneelike part c of the keyboard a, and are each provided with a pressure-spriug,g, which said pressure-spring is at its lower end attached to the lid of the instrument and at its upper end rests against the rear or inner face of the key. The keys 0, for accordions with one row of keys, are so stamped or pressed from one piece of metal that the key-arm c, Fig. 6, of semicircular section, merges rectangular-1y into the plate forming the key-valve 41, Figs. 5 and 6, the under side of which is, as usual, covered with cloth, leather, or other suitable material.

Having now described my said invention, what I claim is 1. An accordion or other-similar instrument having a sheet-metal key-board provided with suitable vertical openings to receive the keys and at its lower portion with outwardlyproject-ing knee-shaped portions, a series of keys and key-valves, also formed of sheet metal, said keys being pivotally connected to the knee-shaped portions of the key-board, and a series of springs connected at their lower ends to the lid of the instrument and at their upper ends rest against the rear faces of the keys, substantially as set forth.

2. In an accordion or similar musical instrument, the combination, with the lid and a key-board having knee-shaped projections, of sheet-metal keys of semicircular shape in cross-section and a series of springs connected at their lower ends to the lid of the instrument and at their upper ends resting within the inner recessed face of the keys, substantially as shown.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRIEDRIGH \VITTSTADT.

\Vitnesses:

Louis Nnonuncnn, llIICHAEL J ACKENHEIM. 

